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Engineering Explained Launch!
On April 15th 2008, science made simple were delightedto officially launch their brand new division, Engineering Explained! We were ecstatic to introduce Dr Adam Hart-Davis as our guest speaker for the launch!
The event was held in the John Viriamu Jones Gallery in the beautiful main campus of Cardiff University. Attendees started arriving from 1545 and were greeted by 
the science made simple staff and a host of exhibitors!
The exhibitors at the launch included SEMTA, Engineers Without Borders (Cardiff), Science Cafe Wales, Tai Chi from the MEC,
and Engineering for Life from Cardiff University Engineering Department. Also on hand was 'MadDan' Reed with the MadLab Cymru Exhibition, showing students the fun of soldering and making their own circuit boards! With David Price down from the North, and Visualise's own Gaz Smith and Debbie Syrop giving a hand, what could have gone wrong!?
The show then moved on to the Wallace Lecture Theatre where the audience was greeted by Dr David Grant, the Vice Chancellor of Cardiff University, followed by Professor Hywel Thomas, the Director of the School of Engineering at Cardiff.
The audience were then asked to regress to the minds of school students when Wendy Sadler, Helen Lloyd and Huw James took the stage to give everyone a look at our three engineering shows and how we do what we do. Wendy showed how we can transfer data using laser beams by sending music across a bench on a beam of light. Helen then emphasised the importance of engineering in
medicine by introducing the audience to a technique used in the study of cancer, where where jelly fish protein is used to find the location of offending cells. Finally, Huw looked at engineering around the world, concentrating on how engineers can help in developing countries. He demonstrated the use of mirrors in cooking, within countries that may find themselves with no other source of energy than that of the baking Sun.
This show case led straight on to the feature talk from Dr Adam Hart-Davis who thrilled the crowd with anecdotes of engineers past and a live demonstration of a Stirling Engine. He went on to talk about how engineers not only have exhilarating jobs, but can be on a decent sum of money too! His presentation was truly inspiring, and he capped it all off by awarding this years Engineering 
Explained Competition Prize! The competition outline was to describe what engineering is, in 20 words or less. 5 were shortlisted, and 3 won prizes. The lucky winner, from St Clare's School in Porthcawl, took home his own Robosapien (from the new show "A Rough Guide to Engineering") and the Engineering Explained Trophy! His definition of:
"Engineering is...seeing solutions not problems";
was also written onto the brand new Engineering Explained van for all to see!
After unveiling the van that will host many more science tours around Britain, everyone moved back through to the gallery to finish off what was thought to be a tremendous event (even if we do say so ourselves). The guests left with goody bags that included many ways of getting involved with science and engineering, including a puzzle that they are probably all still trying to solve (you can find the answer here).
At this point, science made simple and Engineering Explained would like to thank all the exhibitors and guests for attending, including a very special guest in the form of Jon Tickle! Thank you to all for your support, and a big thank you to Cardiff University for hosting the event!
